ideas for 160mm ish travel AM/FR bike or frame for the Alps

Been out to the Alps for the last four years or so, mainly on a burly hardtail (456, Bfe etc.) which is fine but I fancy building something up over the winter which is full suss, 1x9, with about 160 ish mm travel, so not full on DH travel but something that's still rideable but tough enough to have some fun on. Something like the new Trek Slash or maybe Zesty-esque. Something which you could put Fox36s or Lyriks on, with a dropper post.

I'm at the 'Ideas' phase so just give me some bikes or frames that I should be looking out for. New is okay but I'd prefer a s/hand bargain really. I've already got some coil Lyriks so could be a frame only.

Alpine seems a bit too simple But it would do you well. Not always that cheap though.

reggiegasket wrote,

I'm at the 'Ideas' phase so just give me some bikes or frames that I should be looking out for. New is okay but I'd prefer a s/hand bargain really.

1) Cotic Hemlock (as long as it's a late one with the 1.5 headtube and the updated swingarm as you're quite likely to break the old arm). 2) Whack 2 degree head angle reducing headset into it then add a dash of Lyriks. 3) Great success

Can be had for £300-£400 now. 120mm rocker is the best option but both work. They're very good as standard but once slackened and lowered you get, basically, mini dh bike performance without it forgetting how to pedal.

Last Herb FR frames are 30% off through facebook at the moment - 1900 euros down to 1190 euros. Bloody love mine. I swap between forks (180 totems/140 44 rc3 ti) and wheelsets depending on how heavy the riding is. 165mm on the rear doesn't feel too much on local xc and it can still smash it on alpine DH.

I've owned light weight orange patriots/ freeride patriots, 5s, a lapierre zesty and ridden a new spec enduro and orange alpine and I can honestly say my coil nomad is the best. It climbs really well and descends like a beast but it's not amazing on trail centre's. My normal xc ride consists of linking out 2-3 Dh tracks in the south Wales valleys But if I do decide to ride cwmcarn itll still go around in a hour or so. Maybe if you ride more xc stuff get a air bike, if not go for coil

Alpine 160, but after having ridden the 2012 5 with Kashima all round and rear Maxle I'm considering doing the Mega on it and possibly flogging the Alpine, very little between them now the 5 is soooo good.

Best combination I've ever used in 10 years of Alps riding is a Nicolai Helius FR with CCDB. It was astonishing. The FR had a slightly steep head angle compared to newer models, and the AM version looks bang on. A bit more than £1k, but built to last with an excellent warranty.

I have some mates who live in Morzine and the only bike they'll touch are Orange. They used to be guides before the French laws changed and used to constantly see all varieties of multi-pivot bikes fail (I haven't a clue how much this was down to lack of owner maintenance), but the Oranges keep on going.

If you're lazy and don't like changing bushings, bearing etc. I'd reccommend an Orange. Don't think they all ride the same - they do not, so don't let you're experience with a 5 taint your decision making process. If you don't mind occasional maintenence then go Nicolai.

Have a look at Marin Wolf Ridge/Attack Trail too - I've been dabbling with one of these for a few months now and I'm quite impressed so far - Haven't caned it properly yet though.

I have some mates who live in Morzine and the only bike they'll touch are Orange. They used to be guides before the French laws changed and used to constantly see all varieties of multi-pivot bikes fail (I haven't a clue how much this was down to lack of owner maintenance), but the Oranges keep on going.

Found the same output for my Orange 5 AM at Coed Y Brenin was the only bike
back where the other multi pivot bikes either bearings seized or rear stay had snapped.